Off-Grid Stand-Alone System Designer Course - 28 days

Date & Time

Plan and design your power system

The next course will start on 5th March 2012.

Contact us for more details and accommodation available in the Nimbin / Lismore / Murwillumbah area.

Aims & Objectives

Learn till late

A comprehensive 20 day system design course for people who already have a good basic knowledge of electricity.

Extensive coverage of all aspects of solar / hydro / wind / hybrid systems as well as design and installation of electrical systems for houses and villages. Specialist applications - such as vaccine refrigeration, solar pumping and electric fencing - can be addressed on request.

Learn to operate a renewable energy business. Learn to design and install renewable energy systems and understand the components used.

Does not lead to Australian qualifications.

Curriculum

Solar in the Tropics

• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 The Rationale Behind the Course
• 1.2 Design of the Course
• 1.3 Our Company - Aims & Objectives
• 1.4 What is the Value of the Course
• 1.5 The Accreditation Scheme
• 2. Introduction to Electricity
• 2.1 Amps, Volts, Watts, Ohms
• 2.3 Diodes
• 2.4 Series and Parallel Connections
• 2.5 Using a Multimeter
• 3. PV Cells and Solar Radiation Photovoltaic - Electricity from the Sun
• 3.1 Characteristics of a Solar Cell
• 3.2 Power Curve for a Solar Cell
• 3.3 Factors which affect the Performance of
• (a) Temperature
• (b) Irradiance
• (c) Geometric Effects
• (d) Peak Sun Hours
• 4. PV Modules
• 4.1 Self Regulating Modules
• 4.2 Arrays
• 4.3 Electrical Protection
• 4.4 Bypass Diodes
• 4.5 Blocking Diodes
• 4.6 Operating Point of PV Modules
• 4.7 Types of Solar Cells
• (a) Mono Crystalline
• (b) Poly Crystalline
• © Amorphous
• 4.8 Tracking
• 4.9 Commercial Modules
• 5. Batteries
• 5.1 Battery Storage (Lead-Acid Batteries)
• 5.2 Other Types of Batteries
• (a) Nickel-cadmium (NiCd)
• (b) Sealed Lead-acid
• 5.3 Characteristics of Batteries
• 5.4 Energy Storage in Batteries
• 5.5 Glossary of Battery Terms
• 5.6 Use of a Hydrometer
• 5.7 Battery Voltage
• 5.8 Effect of Temperature
• 5.9 Maintenance of Batteries
• 5.10 Combining Batteries
• 5.11 Battery Selection Criteria
• 5.12 Installation Requirements
• 5.13 Other Points to Consider
• 5.14 Life Expectancy of Batteries
• 5.15 Battery Chargers
• 5.16 Small Batteries (AA,C & D) and Chargers
• 5.17 Commercial Batteries
• 6. Regulators
• 6.1 Purpose of Control Equipment
• 6.2 Over Charge Protection
• (a) Shunt Regulators
• (b) Single Stage Regulators
• (c) Pulse Regulators
• (d) Multi Stage Regulators
• 6.3 Recommended Regulator Features
• (a) Over Discharge Protection
• (b) Temperature Compensation
• (c) Amp Meter
• (d) Volt Meter
• (e) Ampere-Hour-Meter
• 6.4 Specifying a Regulator
• 6.5 Maximisers
• 6.6 Regulator with generator control
• 6.7 Commercial Regulators
• 7. Inverters and Generators
• 7.1 Purpose of Inverters
• 7.2 Inverter Operating Principles
• 7.3 Advantages of DC and AC Electricity
• 7.4 Power Factor
• 7.5 Surge Capacity
• 7.7 Inverters used a Battery Chargers
• 7.8 Stand-by-losses and Phantom Loads
• 7.9 AC or DC Load
• 7.10 Waveform
• 7.11 Interference
• 7.12 Use of Back-up generators
• 7.13 Petrol Versus Diesel Generators
• 7.14 Hybrid Power Systems FAQ
• 7.15 Siting of Generators
• 7.16 Synchronous Inverter/Chargers
• 7.17 Commercial Inverters
• 8. Lighting
• 8.1 Incandescent
• 8.2 Fluorescent Lights
• 8.3 Street Lights
• 8.4 Lanterns and Torches
• 8.5 Light Fittings
• 9. Wind Turbines
• 9.1 Introduction
• 9.2 Types of Wind Turbines
• 9.3 Wind Turbines used with RAPS
• 9.4 Measuring Wind Speed
• 9.5 How much Power from the Wind?
• 9.6 Practical Output Power
• 9.7 How much Energy from a Wind Turbine?
• 9.8 Overspeed Control
• 9.9 Electricity Generation
• 9.10 Siting Wind Turbines
• 9.11 Turbulence
• 9.12 Tower Height
• 9.13 Maintenance of Wind Turbines
• 9.14 Noise from Wind Turbines
• 9.15 Commercial Wind Generators
• 10. Micro-Hydro Generators
• 10.1 Micro-Hydro Demonstration Program
• 10.2 Components of a Micro-Hydro System
• 10.3 How much Power from Water?
• 10.4 Determination of Flow Rate
• 10.5 Determination of Head
• 10.6 Installation of Turbines
• 10.7 Pipe, Sizes and Friction Losses, Filters
• 10.8 Computer Calculations Rainbow Micro-Hydro program
• 10.9 Types of Turbines
• (a) Impulse Turbines
• (b) Reaction Turbines
• (c) Tyson Turbine
• 10.10 Generators
• 10.11 Control Equipment
• 11. System Sizing Power System Sizing Documentation
• 11.1 Introduction
• 11.2 Estimating the Load
• 11.3 Should the Fridge be included?
• 11.4 Total A/hr Demand per day
• 11.5 Determination of System Voltage
• 11.6 Energy Efficient Appliances Energy Guide
• 11.7 Specifying an Inverter
• 11.8 Sizing and Specifying Batteries
• 11.9 Sizing and Specifying an Energy Source
• 11.10 Photovoltaic Modules
• 11.11 Number of Modules in Series
• 11.12 Number of Modules in Parallel
• 11.13 Changing the Peak Sun Hours
• 11.14 Sizing and Specifying a Back-up Generator
• 11.15 Sizing a Stand-alone Wind System
• 11.16 Selection of a Wind Generator
• 11.17 Sizing a Micro-Hydro System
• 11.18 Work sheets for System Sizing
• 11.19 Power System Computer Sizing Program
• 12. System Wiring
• 12.1 Introduction
• 12.2 Cable Sizing
• 12.3 Line Losses (Voltage Drop)
• 12.4 Excessive Current
• 12.5 Fusing
• (a) Main Battery Fuses
• (b) Subcircuit Protection
• 12.6 Earthing
• 12.7 Lighting Protection
• 12.8 Safety Working Safely with PV Systems
• 12.9 Shrouds
• 12.10 Signage
• 12.11 Switches, Connectors, Links Power Points
• 12.12 Volt and Amp Meters
• 13. Steam Powered Generators
• 13.1 Applications
• 13.2 Operating Principles
• 14. Pumps
• 14.1 Domestic Pressure Systems
• 14.2 Hydraulic Ram Pumps
• 14.3 Irrigation Pumps
• (a) 12/24 V Pumps DC Submersible Pumps
• (b) Grundfos Electro Submersible
• (c) Mono Helical Rotor
• (d) Tyson Turbine
• 14.4 Wind Pumps
• 14.5 Repairs & Maintenance
• 15. System Configurations
• 15.1 Small/simple systems
• 15.2 Shared Power Systems
• 15.3 Parallel Batteries
• 15.4 Micro DC Grid
• 15.5 Mini AC Grid
• 15.6 Synchronised diesel/inverter
• 16. Special Applications
• 16.1 UV Water Sterilisation
• 16.2 Pond Aeration
• 16.3 Timers
• 16.4 Infra Red Sensors
• 16.5 Electric Fencing Speedrite Know How
• 16.6 Medical Clinics Electricity Supply for Remote Clinics
• 16.7 Cathodic Protection System
• 16.8 Composting Toilets
• 17. Passive Solar Design
• 17.1 Lighting - External Shading Devices for eaves
• 17.2 Heating - Energy conservation for trees
• 17.3 Cooling - Choosing Insulation for your home
• 17.4 Insulation - The Solar Angle in Good Housekeeping
• 18. Hot Water Systems
• 18.1 Types and Basic Principles
• 18.2 Installation
• 18.3 Heating for Pools and Spas
• 19. Business Management
• 19.1 Quotes and Assessments
• 19.2 Pro Forma Invoices and Orders Verbal and Written Communications
• 19.3 Freight Options
• 19.4 Advertising
• 19.5 Markets and Marketing Potential
• 20. Economics
• 20.1 Economics
• 20.2 Simple Payback
• 20.3 Present Value - Present Value Program
• 20.4 Present Worth Factor
• 20.5 Comparison of Options
• 21. Environment Factors
• 21.1 Non- renewable Energy Sources
• 21.2 Environmental Pollution
• 21.3 Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

Cost

Cost very much depends on the number of students we get together. This courses can also be conducted in country meaning our qualified trainers come to you.  Contact us to discuss options or to register your interest.